Left:The idea that high-density
living is somehow to be avoided
has been turned on its ear by
many studies. This graphic
highlights key benefits to the city
and its residents.
Right:With the right design,
mixed-use urban precincts can
capture many of the benefits of
higher density living, such as
these Sydney developments –
East Village (top) and Gateway
South, Parramatta (lower).
Advantages of higher density
The advantages of higher density living are
acknowledged by leading city planners, urban
designers, economists and environmentalists
around the world. They can be summarised into
three themes: benefits to people, infrastructure and
the environment.
Planning and designing well are critical to
harness these benefits and build stronger communities. The market must deliver a choice of
high-quality, compact residential housing. Higher
density is not only desirable for sustainable urban
living; it is increasingly necessary for our cities. The
population and economies of our main cities are
growing, but the land supply is not.
So what if we don’t densify? The average
number of people per dwelling in Auckland is 2.8,
a figure that is decreasing. The average floor area
of new-builds in 2012 was 203m2 . We are building
the largest houses of any developed country in the
world but are in the middle of a housing crisis. How
is this sustainable?
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If we let Auckland sprawl, we create isolated
communities buried in suburbia. Fewer interactions
will occur, and we will limit the benefits of urban
living. More time will be spent alone in the car and
less bumping into someone new or an old friend
on your walk to work. But, if the density is raised in
certain areas close to public transport and social
amenities – our hubs for the sharing of ideas and
creativity – the pressure on Auckland’s boiling
housing market can be reduced.
International learnings
There are numerous examples of brilliant mixeduse precincts around the world. Cities such as
Paris, London, Vancouver and Copenhagen have
been developing thriving communities in this form
for decades. Not only have these dense areas
provided the reason to build outstanding public
transport networks and spurred economic growth,
but they have also removed the need for most
modes of travel other than walking and cycling.
Citizens of these cities are living in comfortable